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Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the use of communication technology to deliberately bully an individual or group, commonly by supporting hurtful and malicious behavior towards others. In recent years, technology has given children and youth a new means of bullying with communications that include the Internet, text messaging, social networking sites, email, instant messaging and websites. Cyberbullying differs from traditional methods of bullying because it can happen 24 hours a day, it can be distributed to a large audience and it is possible to be anonymous. The anonymity granted to cyberbullies makes it difficult to find perpetrators.

Cyberbullying includes:

 * Sending mean or threatening emails or text/instant messages.
 * Posting embarrassing photos of someone online.
 * Creating a website to make fun of others.
 * Pretending to be someone by using their name.
 * Tricking someone into revealing personal or embarrassing information and sending it to others.

Cyberbullying in schools
With the increase in technology use, traditional bullying has evolved into cyberbullying and has become a major issues in students' lives both on and off school grounds. According to a recent University of Toronto cyberbullying survey, nearly one in five Canadian students surveyed, reported having been bullied online in the past three months while In an Alberta study, one-third of students who had cyberbullied had also been victims of it. Campuses have become hotbeds for cyberbullying as students face immense competition and pressure to succeed, coupled with an increase in the use of technology in classes and the ability to instantly communicate with faculty.

New research had been conducted showing evidence of students abusing teachers online with 25 per cent of faculty members reporting cyberbullying by students at least once in the past 12 months, 42 per cent through ratemyprofessor.com, and 20 per cent reported feeling suicidal after being cyberbullied. While many universities have strict policies regarding student conduct, many reports of cyberbullying go unreported due to the limited policies explicitly addressing online bullying.

Effects of cyberbullying
Cyberbullying and traditional bullying can be viewed as equally deleterious. Unlike traditional forms of school bullying, where once the victim gets home they are away from the bullying until the next day, with cyberbullying the victim may continue to receive text messages or emails wherever they are. As cyberbullying increases, so does the tragic outcomes it often creates, including impacts on mental health. The effects on victims vary but may lead to issues including insecurity, low self- esteem, emotional distress, anger, depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Some victims begin to withdraw socially, others react aggressively and turn to violence all while the signs of cyberbullying may not have be noticed by an adult. Victims of cyberbullying often don't share their experiences with adults, such as parents, teachers, and school administrators in fear of losing privileges or making matters worse.

Amanda Todd Case
A 15 year old girl from British Columbia by the name of Amanda Todd had committed suicide as a result of being a victim of cyberbullying. Amanda had been convinced to flash her topless body to an anonymous person she met on facebook. A year later, the anonymous individual had attempted to blackmail Amanda Todd into exposing herself again. The picture then went viral across the web, gaining much unwanted attention.

This incident caused a great deal of bullying in the form of name calling and teasing forcing Amanda to change schools on multiple occasions. Amanda had suffered from major depression, anxiety and panic disorder leading her to a life of drugs, alcohol and self mutilation. Amanda's first attempt at suicide was drinking bleach after being beaten up at school but was taken to the hospital where her stomach had been flushed. The second attempt at suicide was followed with the overdosing on anti-depressants.

Amanda Todd posted a video to Youtube in which she describes the two years of torment she endured as the target of online sexual exploitation, stalking, bullying and harassment. Using flash cards to tell her story, Todd also describes her resulting descent into depression, self-harm and a suicide attempt. The video ends with a desperate plea for help. On October 12th 2012, Amanda Todd was tragically found dead inside her home in Port Coquitlam.